The Commission has registered the European Citizens’ Initiative on accessible and sustainable transport

The European Commission has registered a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Fast, comfortable, affordable and, above all, climate-friendly transport for all Europeans’.

The initiative calls on the Commission to“make rail travel a genuine alternative to air travel by creating a robust continental network and organisation and by eliminating market imbalances”. Specifically, the organisers propose the ‘introduction of an EU-wide tax on aviation fuel’, the ‘removal of VAT exemptions and the introduction of fair pricing’,and the ‘allocation of revenue to a robust European rail organisation with broad powers’.

As this initiative meets the formal requirements set out in the relevant legislation, the Commission considers it legally admissible underthe Regulation on the European Citizens’ Initiative. The Commission has not analysed the substance of the proposals at this stage. Registration does not prejudge the Commission’s final decision on the admissibility of the initiative or any measures it may take. The Commission will only take a decision on the initiative if it secures at least one million signatures from EU citizens.

Next steps

Following today’s registration, the organisers have six months to begin the twelve-month period for collecting signatures. If a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) receives at least one million statements of support during that time, with a minimum threshold met in at least seven Member States, the Commission must respond and decide what action, if any, it will take in response to the initiative, giving reasons for its decision.

Background

The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) was introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon as a tool for citizens to set the agenda. It was officially launched in April 2012. Once formally registered, a European Citizens’ Initiative allows one million citizens from at least seven EU Member States to invite the European Commission to propose legislative acts in areas where it has competence. The conditions for admissibility are: (1) that the proposed action does not fall manifestly outside the scope of the Commission’s powers to submit a legislative proposal; (2) that it is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious; and (3) that it is not manifestly contrary to the values of the Union.

Since the launch of the European Citizens’ Initiative, the Commission has registered 129 initiatives.

The content of the initiatives reflects only the views of the organisers and should not be interpreted in any way as reflecting the views of the Commission.

More information: European Commission.